Scaffolds
Structural Properties
Thermally induced phase separation (TIPS)
- Emulsification/freeze drying
- PLGA dissolved in methylene chloride
- Distilled water added to form an emulsion
- Polymer/water mixture is cast into a mold
- Quenched by placing in liquid nitrogen
- Freeze dried at -55C - dispersed water and solvents are removed
- Liquid-liquid phase separation
- Creates polymer rich and polymer poor regions
- Polymer poor phase removed to leave a highly porous polymer network
- Dissolve polymer in solvent with low melting point and easy to sublime
- Cool solution to below melting point of solvent
- Vacuum dry to ensure complete sublimation